10-Q
Table of Contents

 
 
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q

 ý    QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the Quarterly Period Ended September 30, 2015
¨    TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the Transition Period From         to        

Commission File Number: 000-23189
 
C.H. ROBINSON WORLDWIDE, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware
 
41-1883630
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
 
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)
 
14701 Charlson Road, Eden Prairie, Minnesota
 
55347-5088
(Address of principal executive offices)
 
(Zip Code)
952-937-8500
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports) and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.    Yes  ý    No  ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate website, if any, every Interactive Date File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).    Yes  ý    No  ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one)
Large accelerated filer
 
ý
 
Accelerated filer
 
¨
 
 
 
 
 
Non-accelerated filer
 
¨
 
Smaller reporting company
 
¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).    Yes  ¨    No  ý
As of November 6, 2015, the number of shares outstanding of the registrant’s Common Stock, par value $.10 per share, was 143,624,857.



Table of Contents

C.H. ROBINSON WORLDWIDE, INC.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
 
 
 
 
PART I. Financial Information
 
 
 
 
Item 1.
 
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of September 30, 2015, and December 31, 2014
 
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income for the Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015 and 2014
 
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015 and 2014
 
Item 2.
Item 3.
Item 4.
 
 
 
 
PART II. Other Information
 
 
 
 
Item 1.
Item 1A.
Item 2.
Item 3.
Item 4.
Item 5.
Item 6.




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Table of Contents

PART I-FINANCIAL INFORMATION
ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

C.H. ROBINSON WORLDWIDE, INC.
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
(unaudited) 
 
September 30,
 
December 31,
(In thousands, except per share data)
2015
 
2014
ASSETS
 
 
 
Current assets:
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
$
143,087

 
$
128,940

Restricted cash

 
359,388

Receivables, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $45,952 and $41,051
1,651,794

 
1,571,591

Deferred tax asset
16,057

 
7,746

Prepaid expenses and other
45,273

 
37,794

Total current assets
1,856,211

 
2,105,459

 
 
 
 
Property and equipment, net
190,244

 
152,471

Goodwill
1,097,740

 
825,038

Other intangible assets, net
126,353

 
98,330

Other assets
42,017

 
33,040

Total assets
$
3,312,565

 
$
3,214,338

 
 
 
 
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ INVESTMENT
 
 
 
Current liabilities:
 
 
 
Accounts payable
$
799,307

 
$
716,654

Outstanding checks
60,885

 
78,601

Accrued expenses:
 
 
 
Compensation and profit-sharing contribution
124,011

 
125,624

Income taxes
21,215

 
4,616

Other accrued liabilities
45,841

 
45,365

Current portion of debt
530,000

 
605,000

Total current liabilities
1,581,259

 
1,575,860

 
 
 
 
Long-term debt
500,000

 
500,000

Noncurrent income taxes payable
23,588

 
24,279

Deferred tax liabilities
76,144

 
66,961

Other long term liabilities
211

 
223

Total liabilities
2,181,202

 
2,167,323

Stockholders’ investment:
 
 
 
Preferred stock, $ .10 par value, 20,000 shares authorized; no shares issued or outstanding

 

Common stock, $ .10 par value, 480,000 shares authorized; 178,510 and 178,621 shares issued, 144,108 and 146,458 outstanding
14,411

 
14,646

Additional paid-in capital
365,524

 
321,968

Retained earnings
2,860,204

 
2,648,539

Accumulated other comprehensive loss
(44,073
)
 
(28,610
)
Treasury stock at cost (34,402 and 32,163 shares)
(2,064,703
)
 
(1,909,528
)
Total stockholders’ investment
1,131,363

 
1,047,015

Total liabilities and stockholders’ investment
$
3,312,565

 
$
3,214,338

See accompanying notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements.

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Table of Contents

C.H. ROBINSON WORLDWIDE, INC.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income
(unaudited)
 
 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
(In thousands, except per share data)
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
Revenues:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Transportation
$
3,044,500

 
$
3,073,382

 
$
9,122,479

 
$
8,922,261

Sourcing
374,753

 
393,980

 
1,142,752

 
1,190,604

Total revenues
3,419,253

 
3,467,362

 
10,265,231

 
10,112,865

Costs and expenses:
 
 

 
 
 
 
Purchased transportation and related services
2,484,409

 
2,575,619

 
7,518,895

 
7,507,966

Purchased products sourced for resale
346,269

 
364,179

 
1,048,633

 
1,099,063

Personnel expenses
264,077

 
244,621

 
783,220

 
703,904

Other selling, general, and administrative expenses
91,787

 
79,606

 
270,752

 
241,242

Total costs and expenses
3,186,542

 
3,264,025

 
9,621,500

 
9,552,175

Income from operations
232,711

 
203,337

 
643,731

 
560,690

Interest and other expense
(6,559
)
 
(6,204
)
 
(22,058
)
 
(18,587
)
Income before provision for income taxes
226,152

 
197,133

 
621,673

 
542,103

Provision for income taxes
86,720

 
72,152

 
238,557

 
205,339

Net income
139,432


124,981

 
383,116

 
336,764

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Other comprehensive loss
(6,395
)
 
(8,924
)
 
(15,463
)
 
(10,003
)
Comprehensive income
$
133,037

 
$
116,057

 
$
367,653

 
$
326,761

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic net income per share
$
0.96

 
$
0.85

 
$
2.63

 
$
2.28

Diluted net income per share
$
0.96

 
$
0.85

 
$
2.63

 
$
2.28

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic weighted average shares outstanding
144,578

 
146,646

 
145,423

 
147,661

Dilutive effect of outstanding stock awards
204

 
210

 
178

 
158

Diluted weighted average shares outstanding
144,782

 
146,856

 
145,601

 
147,819

See accompanying notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements.



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Table of Contents

C.H. ROBINSON WORLDWIDE, INC.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(unaudited)
 
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
(In thousands)
2015
 
2014
OPERATING ACTIVITIES
 
 
 
Net income
$
383,116

 
$
336,764

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
 
 
 
Depreciation and amortization
49,513

 
43,442

Provision for doubtful accounts
11,975

 
15,917

Stock-based compensation
43,512

 
33,561

Deferred income taxes
(8,356
)
 
901

Gain on divestiture

 
(1,848
)
Loss on sale/disposal of assets
459

 
568

Changes in operating elements (net of acquisitions):
 
 
 
Receivables
(39,051
)
 
(206,970
)
Prepaid expenses and other
(6,347
)
 
(4,081
)
Other non-current assets
124

 
270

Accounts payable and outstanding checks
23,037

 
67,125

Accrued compensation and profit-sharing contribution
(3,585
)
 
23,058

Accrued income taxes
17,774

 
2,690

Other accrued liabilities
(7,728
)
 
(6,075
)
Net cash provided by operating activities
464,443

 
305,322

 
 
 
 
INVESTING ACTIVITIES
 
 
 
Purchases of property and equipment
(19,317
)
 
(19,291
)
Purchases and development of software
(13,494
)
 
(5,845
)
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired
(367,108
)
 

Restricted cash
359,388

 

Other
535

 
428

Net cash used for investing activities
(39,996
)
 
(24,708
)
 
 
 
 
FINANCING ACTIVITIES
 
 
 
Proceeds from stock issued for employee benefit plans
13,036

 
9,813

Stock tendered for payment of withholding taxes
(10,980
)
 
(11,756
)
Repurchase of common stock
(161,115
)
 
(125,163
)
Cash dividends
(171,448
)
 
(157,590
)
Excess tax benefit on stock-based compensation
7,298

 
6,202

Proceeds from short-term borrowings
5,508,000

 
3,498,000

Payments on short-term borrowings
(5,583,000
)
 
(3,528,000
)
Net cash used for financing activities
(398,209
)
 
(308,494
)
 
 
 
 
Effect of exchange rates on cash
(12,091
)
 
(6,451
)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
14,147

 
(34,331
)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period
128,940

 
162,047

Cash and cash equivalents, end of period
$
143,087

 
$
127,716

See accompanying notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements.

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Table of Contents

C.H. ROBINSON WORLDWIDE, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NOTE 1. GENERAL
Basis of Presentation - C.H. Robinson Worldwide, Inc. and our subsidiaries (“the company,” “we,” “us,” or “our”) are a global provider of transportation services and logistics solutions operating through a network of offices located in North America, Europe, Asia, and South America. The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of C.H. Robinson Worldwide, Inc. and our majority owned and controlled subsidiaries. Our minority interests in subsidiaries are not significant. All intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in the consolidated financial statements. Starting in 2015, we are reporting fees earned from our cash advance option provided to our contract carriers ("Payment Services") as a part of Truckload revenues. We had previously reported Payment Services revenues separately from Transportation revenues. The prior year amounts have been combined to conform with the current period presentation. This change in presentation had no effect on our prior year condensed consolidated results of operations, financial condition, or cash flows.
The condensed consolidated financial statements, which are unaudited, have been prepared pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). In our opinion, these financial statements include all adjustments (consisting only of normal recurring adjustments) necessary for a fair presentation of the financial statements for the interim periods presented. Interim results are not necessarily indicative of results for a full year.
Consistent with SEC rules and regulations, we have condensed or omitted certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. You should read the condensed consolidated financial statements and related notes in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014.
 
NOTE 2. GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS
The change in the carrying amount of goodwill is as follows (in thousands): 
 
 
Balance, December 31, 2014
$
825,038

Acquisitions
274,526

Foreign currency translation
(1,824
)
Balance, September 30, 2015
$
1,097,740


A summary of our other intangible assets, with finite lives, which include primarily customer relationships and non-competition agreements, is as follows (in thousands): 
 
September 30, 2015
 
December 31, 2014
Gross
$
171,172

 
$
133,372

Accumulated amortization
(55,294
)
 
(36,917
)
Net
$
115,878

 
$
96,455


Other intangible assets, with indefinite lives, are as follows (in thousands):
 
September 30, 2015
 
December 31, 2014
Trademarks
$
10,475

 
$
1,875



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Amortization expense for other intangible assets is as follows (in thousands): 
 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
Amortization expense
$
6,093

 
$
4,690

 
$
18,282

 
$
14,529



Estimated future amortization expense for identifiable intangible assets at September 30, 2015, for the remainder of 2015 and the next five years is as follows:
Remainder of 2015
$
6,101

2016
24,482

2017
24,204

2018
23,785

2019
23,785

2020
13,521

Total
$
115,878


NOTE 3. FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENT
Accounting guidance on fair value measurements for certain financial assets and liabilities requires that assets and liabilities carried at fair value be classified and disclosed in one of the following three categories:
Level 1 — Quoted market prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.
Level 2 — Observable market-based inputs or unobservable inputs that are corroborated by market data.
Level 3 — Unobservable inputs reflecting the reporting entity’s own assumptions or external inputs from inactive markets.
A financial asset or liability’s classification within the hierarchy is determined based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement.
We had no Level 3 liabilities as of and during the periods ended September 30, 2015, and September 30, 2014.  

NOTE 4. FINANCING ARRANGEMENTS
On October 29, 2012, we entered into a senior unsecured revolving credit facility for up to $500 million with a $500 million accordion feature (the "Credit Agreement") with a syndicate of financial institutions led by U.S. Bank. The purpose of this facility was to partially fund the acquisition of Phoenix International Freight Services, Ltd. ("Phoenix") and to allow us to continue to fund working capital, capital expenditures, dividends, and share repurchases. In December 2014, we amended the credit facility to increase the amount available from $500 million to $900 million and to extend the expiration date from October 2017 to December 2019.
As of September 30, 2015, and December 31, 2014, we had $530.0 million and $605.0 million in borrowings outstanding under the Credit Agreement, which is classified as a current liability on the condensed consolidated balance sheets. The recorded amount of borrowings outstanding approximates fair value because of the short maturity period of the debt; therefore, we consider these borrowings to be a Level 2 financial liability.
Borrowings under the Credit Agreement generally bear interest at a variable rate determined by a pricing schedule or the base rate (which is the highest of (a) the administrative agent's prime rate, (b) the federal funds rate plus 0.50 percent, or (c) the sum of one-month LIBOR plus a specified margin). As of September 30, 2015, the variable rate equaled LIBOR plus 1.125 percent. In addition, there is a commitment fee on the average daily undrawn stated amount under each letter of credit issued under the facility. The weighted average interest rate incurred on borrowings during the quarter ended September 30, 2015, was approximately 1.4 percent and at September 30, 2015, was approximately 1.3 percent. The weighted average interest rate incurred on borrowings during the quarter ended September 30, 2014, was approximately 1.6 percent and at September 30, 2014, was approximately 1.7 percent.

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The Credit Agreement contains various restrictions and covenants. Among other requirements, we may not permit our leverage ratio, determined as of the end of each of our fiscal quarters, of (i) Consolidated Funded Indebtedness to (ii) EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization), to exceed 3.00 to 1.00. We were in compliance with all of the financial debt covenants as of September 30, 2015.
The Credit Agreement also contains customary events of default. If an event of default under the Credit Agreement occurs and is continuing, then the administrative agent may declare any outstanding obligations under the Credit Agreement to be immediately due and payable. In addition, if we become the subject of voluntary or involuntary proceedings under any bankruptcy, insolvency, or similar law, then any outstanding obligations under the Credit Agreement will automatically become immediately due and payable.
On August 23, 2013, we entered into a Note Purchase Agreement with certain institutional investors (the “Purchasers”) named therein (the “Note Purchase Agreement”). Pursuant to the Note Purchase Agreement, the Purchasers purchased, on August 27, 2013, (i) $175,000,000 aggregate principal amount of the company’s 3.97 percent Senior Notes, Series A, due August 27, 2023 (the “Series A Notes”), (ii) $150,000,000 aggregate principal amount of the company’s 4.26 percent Senior Notes, Series B, due August 27, 2028 (the “Series B Notes”), and (iii) $175,000,000 aggregate principal amount of the company’s 4.60 percent Senior Notes, Series C, due August 27, 2033 (the “Series C Notes” and, together with the Series A Notes and the Series B Notes, the “Notes”). Interest on the Notes is payable semi-annually in arrears. We applied the proceeds of the sale of the Notes for share repurchases.
The Note Purchase Agreement contains customary provisions for transactions of this type, including representations and warranties regarding the company and its subsidiaries and various covenants, including covenants that require us to maintain specified financial ratios. The Note Purchase Agreement includes the following financial covenants: we will not permit our leverage ratio, determined as of the end of each of our fiscal quarters, of (i) Consolidated Funded Indebtedness to (ii) EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization), to exceed 3.00 to 1.00; we will not permit the interest coverage ratio, as of the end of each of our fiscal quarters and for the twelve-month period then ending, of (i) Consolidated EBIT (earnings before income taxes) to (ii) Consolidated Interest Expense to be less than 2.00 to 1.00; and we will not permit, as of the end of each of our fiscal quarters, Consolidated Priority Debt to exceed 15 percent of Consolidated Total Assets. We were in compliance with all of the financial debt covenants as of September 30, 2015.
The Note Purchase Agreement provides for customary events of default, generally with corresponding grace periods, including, without limitation, payment defaults with respect to the Notes, covenant defaults, cross-defaults to other agreements evidencing indebtedness of the company or its subsidiaries, certain judgments against the company or its subsidiaries, and events of bankruptcy involving the company or its material subsidiaries. The occurrence of an event of default would permit certain Purchasers to declare certain Notes then outstanding to be immediately due and payable.
Under the terms of the Note Purchase Agreement, the Notes are redeemable, in whole or in part, at 100 percent of the principal amount being redeemed together with a “make-whole amount” (as defined in the Note Purchase Agreement), and accrued and unpaid interest with respect to each Note. The obligations of the company under the Note Purchase Agreement and the Notes are guaranteed by C.H. Robinson Company, a Delaware corporation and a wholly-owned subsidiary of the company, and by C.H. Robinson Company, Inc., a Minnesota corporation and an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of the company.
The Notes were issued by the company to the initial purchasers in a private placement in reliance on Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”). The Notes have not been registered under the Securities Act and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from registration requirements.
The fair value of long-term debt approximated $506.7 million at September 30, 2015, based on observable market-based inputs compared to a carrying value of $500.0 million. If our long-term debt was recorded at fair value, it would be classified as a Level 2 liability.

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NOTE 5. INCOME TAXES
C.H. Robinson Worldwide, Inc. and its 80 percent (or more) owned U.S. subsidiaries file a consolidated federal income tax return. We file unitary or separate state returns based on state filing requirements. With few exceptions, we are no longer subject to audits of U.S. federal, state and local, or non-U.S. income tax returns before 2009.
Our effective tax rate for the three months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 was 38.3 percent and 36.6 percent, respectively. The lower rate for the three months ended September 30, 2014, was primarily due to foreign tax credits. In addition, the effective income tax rate for both periods is greater than the statutory federal income tax rate due to state income taxes, net of federal benefit.

NOTE 6. STOCK AWARD PLANS
Stock-based compensation cost is measured at the grant date based on the value of the award and is recognized as expense as it vests. A summary of our total compensation expense recognized in our condensed consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income for stock-based compensation is as follows (in thousands):
 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
Stock options
$
3,100

 
$
3,466

 
$
10,973

 
$
6,227

Stock awards
8,919

 
13,249

 
30,655

 
25,602

Company expense on ESPP discount
474

 
423

 
1,884

 
1,732

Total stock-based compensation expense
$
12,493

 
$
17,138

 
$
43,512

 
$
33,561

On May 9, 2013, our shareholders approved our 2013 Equity Incentive Plan, which allows us to grant certain stock awards, including stock options at fair market value and performance shares and restricted stock units, to our key employees and outside directors. A maximum of 3,400,000 shares plus the shares remaining available for future grants under the 1997 Plan as of May 9, 2013, can be granted under this plan. Approximately 3,191,473 shares were available for stock awards as of September 30, 2015. Shares subject to awards that expire or are canceled without delivery of shares or that are settled in cash generally become available again for issuance under the plan.
Stock Options - We have awarded performance-based stock options to certain key employees. These options are subject to certain vesting requirements over a five-year period based on the company’s earnings growth. Any options remaining unvested at the end of the five-year vesting period are forfeited to the company. Although participants can exercise options via a stock swap exercise, we do not issue reloads (restoration options).
The fair value of these options is established based on the market price on the date of grant, discounted for post-vesting holding restrictions, calculated using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. Changes in measured stock price volatility and interest rates are the primary reasons for changes in the discount. These grants are being expensed based on the terms of the awards. As of September 30, 2015, unrecognized compensation expense related to stock options was $51.1 million. The amount of future expense to be recognized will be based on the company’s earnings growth and certain other conditions.
Full Value Awards - We have awarded performance shares and restricted stock units to certain key employees and non-employee directors. These awards are subject to certain vesting requirements over a five-year period, based on the company’s earnings growth. The awards also contain restrictions on the awardees’ ability to sell or transfer vested awards for a specified period of time. The fair value of these awards is established based on the market price on the date of grant, discounted for post-vesting holding restrictions. The discounts on outstanding grants vary from 17 percent to 22 percent and are calculated using the Black-Scholes option pricing model-protective put method. Changes in measured stock price volatility and interest rates are the primary reasons for changes in the discount. These grants are being expensed based on the terms of the awards.
We have also awarded restricted shares and restricted stock units to certain key employees that vest primarily based on their continued employment. The value of these awards is established by the market price on the date of the grant and is being expensed over the vesting period of the award.
We have also issued to certain key employees and non-employee directors restricted stock units which are fully vested upon issuance. These units contain restrictions on the awardees’ ability to sell or transfer vested units for a specified period of time. The fair value of these units is established using the same method discussed above. These grants have been expensed during the year they were earned.

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As of September 30, 2015, there is unrecognized compensation expense of $91.5 million related to previously granted full value awards. The amount of future expense to be recognized will be based on the company’s earnings growth and certain other conditions.
Employee Stock Purchase Plan - Our 1997 Employee Stock Purchase Plan allows our employees to contribute up to $10,000 of their annual cash compensation to purchase company stock. Purchase price is determined using the closing price on the last day of each quarter discounted by 15 percent. Shares vest immediately. The following is a summary of the employee stock purchase plan activity (dollar amounts in thousands):
 
Three Months Ended September 30, 2015
Shares purchased
by employees
 
Aggregate cost
to employees
 
Expense recognized
by the company
46,667

 
$
2,689

 
$
474



NOTE 7. LITIGATION
We are not subject to any pending or threatened litigation other than routine litigation arising in the ordinary course of our business operations, including 26 contingent auto liability cases. For such legal proceedings, we have accrued an amount that reflects the aggregate liability deemed probable and estimable, but this amount is not material to our condensed consolidated financial position, results of operations, or cash flows. Because of the preliminary nature of many of these proceedings, the difficulty in ascertaining the applicable facts relating to many of these proceedings, the inconsistent treatment of claims made in many of these proceedings, and the difficulty of predicting the settlement value of many of these proceedings, we are often unable to estimate an amount or range of any reasonably possible additional losses. However, based upon our historical experience, the resolution of these proceedings is not expected to have a material effect on our consolidated financial position, results of operations, or cash flows.

NOTE 8. ACQUISITIONS
On January 1, 2015, we completed the acquisition of Freightquote.com, Inc. ("Freightquote") for the purpose of enhancing our less than truckload and truckload businesses and expanding our e-commerce capabilities. Total purchase consideration was $398.6 million, which was paid in cash and is subject to post-closing cash and working capital adjustments, in accordance with the merger agreement. We used advances under the Credit Agreement to fund part of the cash consideration. The following is a summary of the allocation of purchase consideration to the estimated fair value of net assets for the acquisition of Freightquote (in thousands):
Cash and cash equivalents
$
29,302

Receivables
56,228

Other current assets
2,395

Property and equipment
43,687

Identifiable intangible assets
37,800

Goodwill
274,526

Trademarks
8,600

Other noncurrent assets
3,421

Total assets
455,959

 
 
Accounts payable
(41,897
)
Accrued expenses
(5,485
)
Other liabilities
(9,970
)
Estimated net assets acquired
$
398,607




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Identifiable intangible assets and estimated useful lives are as follows (dollars in thousands):
 
Estimated Life (years)
 
 
Customer relationships
5
 
$
37,500

Noncompete agreements
5
 
300

Total identifiable intangible assets
 
 
$
37,800


We also acquired a trademark valued at $8.6 million which has been determined to be indefinite-lived. The Freightquote goodwill is a result of acquiring and retaining the Freightquote existing workforce and expected synergies from integrating their business into C.H. Robinson. The measurement period adjustment during the quarter ended September 30, 2015, to the previously recorded goodwill related to the settlement of certain working capital adjustments with the former shareholders of Freightquote. The offset to this adjustment was a reduction in the estimated receivable amount from the former shareholders of Freightquote. Purchase accounting is considered final as of September 30, 2015. The goodwill will not be deductible for tax purposes.

On an unaudited pro forma basis, assuming the Freightquote acquisition had closed on January 1, 2014, the results of C.H. Robinson including Freightquote, for the three and nine month periods ending September 30, 2014, would have resulted in the following (in thousands):

 
Three Months Ended September 30, 2014
 
C.H. Robinson
Freightquote
Combined
 
As Reported
Operations
Pro Forma
Total revenues
$
3,467,362

$
165,201

$
3,632,563

Income from operations
203,337

7,716

211,053


 
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014
 
C.H. Robinson
Freightquote
Combined
 
As Reported
Operations
Pro Forma
Total revenues
$
10,112,865

$
468,907

$
10,581,772

Income from operations
560,690

16,593

577,283


For the three month and nine month period ending September 30, 2014, Freightquote pro forma financial information includes the following adjustments (in thousands):

Three Months Ended September 30, 2014
 
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014
Additional amortization expense on identifiable intangible assets
$
(1,890
)
 
$
(5,670
)
Other
1,009

 
2,948


The pro forma consolidated financial information was prepared for comparative purposes only and includes certain adjustments, as noted above. The adjustments are estimates based on currently available information, and actual amounts may have differed materially from these estimates. They do not reflect the effect of costs or synergies that would have been expected to result from the integration of the acquisition. The pro forma information does not purport to be indicative of the results of operations that actually would have resulted had the acquisition occurred at the beginning of each period presented or of future results of the consolidated entity. The results of operations and financial condition of Freightquote have been included in our condensed consolidated financial statements since the acquisition date of January 1, 2015.

NOTE 9. CHANGES IN ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE LOSS
Accumulated other comprehensive loss is included in Stockholders' investment on our condensed consolidated balance sheets. The recorded balance, net of taxes, at September 30, 2015, and December 31, 2014, was $44.1 million and $28.6 million, respectively. Accumulated other comprehensive loss is comprised solely of foreign currency translation adjustment at September 30, 2015, and December 31, 2014.

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ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

You should read the following discussion of our financial condition and results of operations in conjunction with our condensed consolidated financial statements and related notes.

FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION
Our quarterly report on Form 10-Q, including this discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations and our disclosures about market risk, contains certain “forward-looking statements.” These statements represent our expectations, beliefs, intentions, or strategies concerning future events that, by their nature, involve risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements include, among others, statements about our future performance, the continuation of historical trends, the sufficiency of our sources of capital for future needs, the effects of acquisitions or dispositions, the expected impact of recently issued accounting pronouncements, and the outcome or effects of litigation. Risks that could cause actual results to differ materially from our current expectations include changes in economic conditions; changes in market demand and pressures on the pricing for our services; competition and growth rates within the third party logistics industry; freight levels and increasing costs and availability of truck capacity or alternative means of transporting freight; changes in relationships with existing contracted truck, rail, ocean, and air carriers; changes in our customer base due to possible consolidation among our customers, or for other reasons; our ability to successfully integrate the operations of acquired companies with our historic operations; risks associated with litigation, including contingent auto liability and insurance coverage; risks associated with operations outside of the U.S.; risks associated with the potential impacts of changes in government regulations; risks associated with the produce industry, including food safety and contamination issues; fuel price increases or decreases, or fuel shortages; the impact of war on the economy; changes to our capital structure; and other risks and uncertainties detailed in our Annual and Quarterly Reports. Therefore, actual results may differ materially from our expectations based on these and other risks and uncertainties, including those described in Item 1A. Risk Factors of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 2, 2015.
Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which such statement is made, and we undertake no obligation to update such statement to reflect events or circumstances arising after such date.
OVERVIEW
Our company. We are a global provider of transportation services and logistics solutions, operating through a network of branch offices in North America, Europe, Asia, and South America. As a third party logistics provider, we cultivate contractual relationships with a wide variety of transportation companies, and utilize those relationships to efficiently and cost effectively transport our customers’ freight. We have contractual relationships with approximately 66,000 transportation companies, including motor carriers, railroads (primarily intermodal service providers), air freight, and ocean carriers. Depending on the needs of our customer and their supply chain requirements, we select and hire the appropriate transportation for each shipment. Our model enables us to be flexible, provide solutions that optimize service for our customers, and minimize our asset utilization risk.
In addition to transportation and logistics services, we also offer fresh produce sourcing services. Our Sourcing business is the buying, selling, and marketing of fresh produce. We purchase fresh produce through our network of produce suppliers and sell it to retail grocers and restaurant chains, produce wholesalers, and foodservice providers. In some cases, we also arrange the transportation of the produce we sell through our relationships with specialized transportation companies. Those revenues are reported as Transportation revenues.
Our business model. We are primarily a service company. We add value and expertise in the procurement and execution of transportation and logistics, including sourcing of produce products for our customers. Our total revenues represent the total dollar value of services and goods we sell to our customers. Our net revenues are our total revenues less purchased transportation and related services, including contracted motor carrier, rail, ocean, air, and other costs, and the purchase price and services related to the products we source. Our net revenues are the primary indicator of our ability to source, add value, and sell services and products that are provided by third parties, and we consider them to be our primary performance measurement. Accordingly, the discussion of our results of operations below focuses on the changes in our net revenues.

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We keep our business model as variable as possible to allow us to be flexible and adapt to changing economic and industry conditions. We sell transportation services and produce to our customers with varied pricing arrangements. Some prices are committed to for a period of time, subject to certain terms and conditions, and some prices are set on a spot market basis. We buy most of our truckload transportation capacity and produce on a spot market basis. Because of this, our net revenue per transaction tends to increase in times when there is excess supply and decrease in times when demand is strong relative to supply.
We keep our personnel and other operating expenses as variable as possible. Compensation is performance-oriented and, for most employees in the office network, based on the profitability of their individual office.
Our personnel decisions are decentralized. Our branch managers determine the appropriate number of employees for their offices, within productivity guidelines, based on their volume of business. This helps keep our personnel expense as variable as possible with the business.
Our branch office network. Our office network is a competitive advantage. Building local customer and contract carrier relationships has been an important part of our success, and our worldwide network of offices supports our core strategy of serving customers locally, nationally, and globally. Our offices help us penetrate local markets, provide face-to-face service when needed, and recruit contract carriers. Our network also gives us knowledge of local market conditions, which is important in the transportation industry because it is market driven and very dynamic.
In January 2015, we completed our acquisition of Freightquote.com, Inc. ("Freightquote"), a privately held freight broker based in Kansas City, Missouri. Freightquote provides services throughout North America. The acquisition enhances and brings synergies to our LTL and truckload businesses, and expands our e-commerce capabilities.
Our offices work together to complete transactions and collectively meet the needs of our customers. For large multi-location customers, we often coordinate our efforts in one office and rely on multiple locations to deliver specific geographic or modal needs. As an example, during 2014, approximately 48 percent of our truckload shipments were shared transactions between offices. Our methodology of providing services is very similar across all locations. The majority of our global network operates on a common technology platform that is used to match customer needs with supplier capabilities, to collaborate with other offices, and to utilize centralized support resources to complete all facets of the transaction.
Our people. Because we are a service company, our continued success is dependent on our ability to continue to hire and retain talented, productive people, and to properly align our headcount and personnel expense with our business. Employees act as a team in their sales efforts, customer service, and operations. A significant portion of many of our employees’ compensation is performance-oriented, based on individual performance and the profitability of their office. We believe this makes our employees more service-oriented and focused on driving growth and maximizing office productivity. All of our managers and certain other employees who have significant responsibilities are eligible to receive equity awards because we believe these awards are an effective tool for creating long-term ownership and alignment between employees and our shareholders.
Our customers. In 2014, we worked with more than 46,000 active customers. We work with a wide variety of companies, ranging in size from Fortune 100 companies to small family businesses, in many different industries. Our customer base is very diverse and unconcentrated. Our top 100 customers represented approximately 37 percent of our total revenues and approximately 26 percent of our net revenues in 2014. Our largest customer was approximately two percent of our total revenues and approximately one percent of our total net revenues in 2014.
Our contracted carriers. Our contracted carrier base includes motor carriers, railroads (primarily intermodal service providers), air freight, and ocean carriers. In 2014, our carrier base was approximately 66,000, up from approximately 63,000 in 2013. Motor carriers that had fewer than 100 tractors transported approximately 83 percent of our truckload shipments in 2014. In our Transportation business, no single contracted carrier represents more than approximately two percent of our contracted carrier capacity.


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RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The following table summarizes our total revenues by service line (in thousands):
 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
2015
 
2014
 
% change
 
2015
 
2014
 
% change
Transportation
$
3,044,500

 
$
3,073,382

 
(0.9
)%
 
$
9,122,479

 
$
8,922,261

 
2.2
 %
Sourcing
374,753

 
393,980

 
(4.9
)%
 
1,142,752

 
1,190,604

 
(4.0
)%
Total
$
3,419,253

 
$
3,467,362

 
(1.4
)%
 
$
10,265,231

 
$
10,112,865

 
1.5
 %

The following table illustrates our net revenue margins by services and products:
 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
Transportation
18.4
%
 
16.2
%
 
17.6
%
 
15.9
%
Sourcing
7.6
%
 
7.6
%
 
8.2
%
 
7.7
%
Total
17.2
%
 
15.2
%
 
16.5
%
 
14.9
%

The following table summarizes our net revenues by service line (dollars in thousands): 
 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
2015
 
2014
 
% change
 
2015
 
2014
 
% change
Transportation
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Truckload
$
344,715

 
$
311,152

 
10.8
 %
 
$
977,641

 
$
891,651

 
9.6
%
LTL(1)
94,190

 
67,968

 
38.6
 %
 
271,084

 
195,482

 
38.7
%
Intermodal
10,168

 
10,593

 
(4.0
)%
 
32,219

 
30,396

 
6.0
%
Ocean
58,322

 
57,380

 
1.6
 %
 
167,578

 
151,478

 
10.6
%
Air
20,248

 
20,520

 
(1.3
)%
 
60,483

 
59,721

 
1.3
%
Customs
12,012

 
11,107

 
8.1
 %
 
33,248

 
30,751

 
8.1
%
Other Logistics Services
20,436

 
19,043

 
7.3
 %
 
61,331

 
54,816

 
11.9
%
Total Transportation
560,091

 
497,763

 
12.5
 %
 
1,603,584

 
1,414,295

 
13.4
%
Sourcing
28,484

 
29,801

 
(4.4
)%
 
94,119

 
91,541

 
2.8
%
Total
$
588,575

 
$
527,564

 
11.6
 %
 
$
1,697,703

 
$
1,505,836

 
12.7
%
(1) Less than truckload ("LTL")




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The following table represents certain statements of operations data, shown as percentages of our net revenues:
 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
Net revenues
100.0
 %
 
100.0
 %
 
100.0
 %
 
100.0
 %
Operating expenses:

 

 
 
 
 
Personnel expenses
44.9
 %
 
46.4
 %
 
46.1
 %
 
46.7
 %
Other selling, general, and administrative expenses
15.6
 %
 
15.1
 %
 
15.9
 %
 
16.0
 %
Total operating expenses
60.5
 %
 
61.5
 %
 
62.1
 %
 
62.8
 %
Income from operations
39.5
 %
 
38.5
 %
 
37.9
 %
 
37.2
 %
Interest and other expense
(1.1
)%
 
(1.2
)%
 
(1.3
)%
 
(1.2
)%
Income before provision for income taxes
38.4
 %
 
37.4
 %
 
36.6
 %
 
36.0
 %
Provision for income taxes
14.7
 %
 
13.7
 %
 
14.1
 %
 
13.6
 %
Net income
23.7
 %
 
23.7
 %
 
22.6
 %
 
22.4
 %

We previously reported Payment Services revenues (the fees we earn from our cash advance option offered to our contract carriers) separately from Transportation revenues. Starting in the first quarter of 2015, we are reporting Payment Services revenues as a part of Transportation total and net revenues. The following tables provide the results of our Transportation total revenues and net revenues for 2014 and 2013 had we previously shown Payment Services revenues combined with Transportation revenues.

Total revenues
2014
 
2013
 
Q1
 
Q2
 
Q3
 
Q4
 
Q1
 
Q2
 
Q3
 
Q4
Transportation
$
2,803,704

 
$
3,038,923

 
$
3,069,056

 
$
3,010,291

 
$
2,603,182

 
$
2,818,077

 
$
2,880,901

 
$
2,767,550

Payment Services
3,073

 
3,179

 
4,326

 
3,960

 
3,233

 
3,374

 
3,391

 
3,234

Transportation total revenues
$
2,806,777

 
$
3,042,102

 
$
3,073,382

 
$
3,014,251

 
$
2,606,415

 
$
2,821,451

 
$
2,884,292

 
$
2,770,784

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net revenues
2014
 
2013
 
Q1
 
Q2
 
Q3
 
Q4
 
Q1
 
Q2
 
Q3
 
Q4
Transportation
$
427,879

 
$
483,552

 
$
493,987

 
$
474,306

 
$
421,252

 
$
431,145

 
$
429,978

 
$
416,020

Payment Services
2,510

 
2,591

 
3,776

 
3,505

 
2,624

 
2,705

 
2,775

 
2,646

Total Transportation net revenues
$
430,389

 
$
486,143

 
$
497,763

 
$
477,811

 
$
423,876

 
$
433,850

 
$
432,753

 
$
418,666



Three Months Ended September 30, 2015, Compared to Three Months Ended September 30, 2014
Total revenues and direct costs. Our consolidated total revenues decreased 1.4 percent in the third quarter of 2015 compared to the third quarter of 2014. Total Transportation revenues decreased 0.9 percent to $3.0 billion in the third quarter of 2015 from $3.1 billion in the third quarter of 2014. The decrease was driven by lower rates charged to our customers, primarily due to the lower cost of fuel, partially offset by our acquisition of Freightquote.com ("Freightquote") on January 1, 2015, and increased volumes in most of our transportation modes. Total purchased transportation and related services decreased 3.5 percent in the third quarter of 2015 to $2.5 billion from $2.6 billion in the third quarter of 2014. The decrease was due to decreased cost of capacity, primarily related to the lower cost of fuel, offset partially by our acquisition of Freightquote and higher volumes in most of our transportation modes. Our Sourcing revenue decreased 4.9 percent to $374.8 million in the third quarter of 2015 from $394.0 million in the third quarter of 2014. Purchased products sourced for resale decreased 4.9 percent in the third quarter of 2015 to $346.3 million from $364.2 million in the third quarter of 2014. These decreases were primarily due lower market prices which reduced both our revenues and our costs in the third quarter of 2015, partially offset by an increase in case volume.

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Net revenues. Total Transportation net revenues increased 12.5 percent to $560.1 million in the third quarter of 2015 from $497.8 million in the third quarter of 2014. The acquisition of Freightquote contributed approximately seven percentage points to our Transportation net revenue growth in the third quarter of 2015. Our Transportation net revenue margin increased to 18.4 percent in the third quarter of 2015 from 16.2 percent in the third quarter of 2014 primarily due to lower transportation costs, including fuel.
Our truckload net revenues increased 10.8 percent to $344.7 million in the third quarter of 2015 from $311.2 million in the third quarter of 2014. Organic truckload net revenues increased approximately eight percent in the third quarter of 2015 compared to the third quarter of 2014. Freightquote contributed approximately three percentage points to our truckload net revenue growth. Approximately 96 percent of our total truckload net revenues are derived from North American operations. Our North American truckload volumes increased seven percent in the third quarter of 2015 compared to the third quarter of 2014. Approximately three percent of this increase was due to the acquisition of Freightquote. Truckload net revenue margin increased in the third quarter of 2015 compared to the third quarter of 2014, due primarily to lower transportation costs, including fuel. In North America, excluding the estimated impacts of the reduction in fuel costs, our average truckload rate per mile charged to our customers was flat in the third quarter of 2015 compared to the third quarter of 2014. In North America, our truckload transportation costs decreased approximately one percent, excluding the estimated reduction in fuel costs. In the North American truckload market, capacity was readily available and demand was modest in the third quarter of 2015.
Our LTL net revenues increased 38.6 percent to $94.2 million in the third quarter of 2015 from $68.0 million in the third quarter of 2014. Freightquote contributed approximately 33 percentage points to our LTL net revenue growth in the third quarter of 2015. LTL volumes increased approximately 32 percent in the third quarter of 2015 compared to the third quarter of 2014. Organic LTL volumes increased approximately 13 percent in the third quarter of 2015 compared to the third quarter of 2014. Net revenue margin increased in the third quarter of 2015 compared to the third quarter of 2014. This was primarily the result of a change in our freight mix with more small customers from Freightquote business, which typically have a higher net revenue margin.
Our intermodal net revenues decreased 4.0 percent to $10.2 million in the third quarter of 2015 from $10.6 million in the third quarter of 2014, notwithstanding the increase in intermodal net revenues attributed to Freightquote. Organic intermodal net revenues decreased approximately 13 percent in the third quarter of 2015 compared to the third quarter of 2014. Excluding Freightquote, intermodal transactional volume decreased in the third quarter of 2015 compared to the third quarter of 2014. Conversion to truckload from intermodal negatively impacted intermodal volumes and net revenues in the third quarter of 2015 due to lower truckload rates.
Our ocean transportation net revenues increased 1.6 percent to $58.3 million in the third quarter of 2015 from $57.4 million in the third quarter of 2014. The increase in net revenues was primarily due to increased net revenue margin and volumes.
Our air transportation net revenues decreased 1.3 percent to $20.2 million in the third quarter of 2015 from $20.5 million in the third quarter of 2014. The decrease was due to lower rates charged to our customers, partially offset by increased net revenue margin and an increase in volumes.
Our customs net revenues increased 8.1 percent to $12.0 million in the third quarter of 2015 from $11.1 million in 2014. The increase was primarily due to increased transaction volumes.
Other logistics services net revenues, which include managed services, warehousing, and small parcel, increased 7.3 percent to $20.4 million in the third quarter of 2015 from $19.0 million in the third quarter of 2014 primarily from growth in managed services. Freightquote contributed approximately two percentage points to our other logistics services net revenue growth in the third quarter of 2015.
Sourcing net revenues decreased 4.4 percent to $28.5 million in the third quarter of 2015 from $29.8 million in the third quarter of 2014. This decrease was primarily due to a decline in net revenue per case, offset partially by a case volume increase across a variety of commodities and services. Our net revenue margin for the third quarter of 2015 and the third quarter of 2014 remained consistent at 7.6 percent.
Operating expenses. Operating expenses increased 9.8 percent to $355.9 million in the third quarter of 2015 from $324.2 million in the third quarter of 2014. The acquisition of Freightquote added to our total operating expenses in the third quarter of 2015. Operating expenses as a percentage of net revenues decreased slightly to 60.5 percent in the third quarter of 2015 from 61.5 percent in the third quarter of 2014.
For the third quarter, personnel expenses increased 8.0 percent to $264.1 million in 2015 from $244.6 million in 2014. This was primarily due to an average headcount increase of 13.1 percent in the third quarter of 2015 compared to the third quarter of 2014. Our acquisition of Freightquote contributed approximately nine percentage points of the growth in average headcount

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during the third quarter of 2015. Total personnel expenses did not grow as fast as average headcount in the third quarter of 2015, as the expenses related to variable compensation plans were relatively flat compared to the third quarter of 2014.
For the third quarter of 2015, other selling, general, and administrative expenses increased 15.3 percent to $91.8 million in 2015 from $79.6 million in the third quarter of 2014. This increase was primarily due to our acquisition of Freightquote, including amortization expense of approximately $1.9 million, and an increase in claims and travel expenses.
Income from operations. Income from operations increased 14.4 percent to $232.7 million in the third quarter of 2015 from $203.3 million in the third quarter of 2014. Income from operations as a percentage of net revenues increased to 39.5 percent in the third quarter of 2015 from 38.5 percent in the third quarter of 2014.
Interest and other expense. Interest and other expense was $6.6 million in the third quarter of 2015 compared to $6.2 million in the third quarter of 2014. The change was due primarily to an increase in our average outstanding balances on our debt during the quarter ended September 30, 2015, compared to the same period ended September 30, 2014.
Provision for income taxes. Our effective income tax rate was 38.3 percent for the third quarter of 2015 and 36.6 percent for the third quarter of 2014. The lower rate for the third quarter of 2014 was primarily due to foreign tax credits. In addition, the effective income tax rate for both periods is greater than the statutory federal income tax rate primarily due to state income taxes, net of federal benefit.
Net income. Net income increased 11.6 percent to $139.4 million in the third quarter of 2015 from $125.0 million in the third quarter of 2014. Basic and diluted net income per share increased 12.9 percent to $0.96 from $0.85.
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015 Compared to Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014
Total revenues and direct costs. Our consolidated total revenues increased 1.5 percent in the nine months ended September 30, 2015, compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2014. Total Transportation revenues increased 2.2 percent to $9.1 billion in the nine months ended September 30, 2015, from $8.9 billion in the nine months ended September 30, 2014. The increase was driven by our acquisition of Freightquote and increased volumes in most of our transportation modes, offset partially by lower rates charged to our customers, primarily due to the lower cost of fuel. Total purchased transportation and related services increased 0.1 percent in the nine months ended September 30, 2015, to $7.52 billion from $7.51 billion in the nine months ended September 30, 2014. The increase was due to our acquisition of Freightquote and higher volumes in most of our transportation modes, partially offset by decreased cost of capacity primarily related to lower cost of fuel. Our Sourcing revenue decreased 4.0 percent to $1.1 billion in the nine months ended September 30, 2015, from $1.2 billion in the nine months ended September 30, 2014. Purchased products sourced for resale decreased 4.6 percent in the nine months ended September 30, 2015, to $1.0 billion from $1.1 billion in the nine months ended September 30, 2014. These decreases were primarily due lower market prices which reduced both our revenues and our costs during the period ended September 30, 2015, offset by an increase in case volume.
Net revenues. Total Transportation net revenues increased 13.4 percent to $1.6 billion in the nine months ended September 30, 2015, from $1.4 billion in the nine months ended September 30, 2014. Our Transportation net revenue margin increased to 17.6 percent in the nine months ended September 30, 2015, from 15.9 percent in the nine months ended September 30, 2014, primarily due to lower transportation costs, including fuel.
Our truckload net revenues increased 9.6 percent to $977.6 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2015, from $891.7 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2014. Organic truckload net revenues increased approximately six percent in the nine months ended September 30, 2015, compared to the same period of 2014. Freightquote contributed approximately three percentage points to our truckload net revenue growth. Approximately 96 percent of our total truckload revenues are derived from North America. North American truckload volumes increased approximately seven percent in the nine months ended September 30, 2015, compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2014. Organic North American truckload volumes increased approximately four percent in the nine months ended September 30, 2015, compared to the same period in 2014. Truckload net revenue margin increased in the nine months ended September 30, 2015, compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2014, due primarily to increased rate per mile charge to our customers. In North America, excluding the estimated impact of the reduction in fuel costs, our average truckload rate per mile charged to our customers increased approximately three percent in the nine months ended September 30, 2015, compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2014. In North America, our truckload transportation costs increased approximately two percent, excluding the estimated impacts of the reduction in fuel costs.
Our LTL net revenues increased 38.7 percent to $271.1 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2015, from $195.5 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2014. Freightquote contributed approximately 33 percentage points to our LTL net revenue growth. LTL volumes increased approximately 31 percent in the nine months ended September 30, 2015,

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compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2014. Organic LTL volume increased approximately 12 percent in the nine months ended September 30, 2015, compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2014. LTL net revenue margin increased in the nine months ended September 30, 2015, compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2014. This was primarily the result of a change in our freight mix with more small customers from the Freightquote business, which typically have a higher net revenue margin.
Our intermodal net revenue increased 6.0 percent to $32.2 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2015, from $30.4 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2014. Freightquote contributed approximately nine percentage points to our intermodal net revenue growth. Organic intermodal net revenues decreased approximately three percent in the nine months ended September 30, 2015, compared to the same period in 2014. Conversion to truckload from intermodal negatively impacted intermodal volumes and net revenues in the nine months ended September 30, 2015, due to lower truckload rates.
Our ocean transportation net revenues increased 10.6 percent to $167.6 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2015, from $151.5 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2014. The increase in revenues was due to increased net revenue margins and volumes.
Our air transportation net revenues increased 1.3 percent to $60.5 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2015, from $59.7 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2014. The increase was due to increased net revenue margin and volumes.
Our customs net revenues increased 8.1 percent to $33.2 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2015, from $30.8 million in September 30, 2014. The increase was due to increased transaction volumes.
Other logistics services net revenues, which include managed services, warehousing, and small parcel, increased 11.9 percent to $61.3 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2015, from $54.8 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2014. The increase was driven primarily by managed services. Freightquote contributed approximately two percentage points to our other logistics services net revenue growth during the nine months ended September 30, 2015.
Sourcing net revenues increased 2.8 percent to $94.1 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2015, from $91.5 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2014. This increase was primarily due to increased volumes across a variety of commodities and services. Our net revenue margin increased to 8.2 percent in the nine months ended September 30, 2015, from 7.7 percent in the nine months ended September 30, 2014.
Operating expenses. Operating expenses increased 11.5 percent to $1.1 billion in the nine months ended September 30, 2015, from $945.1 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2014. Operating expenses as a percentage of net revenues decreased to 62.1 percent in the nine months ended September 30, 2015, from 62.8 percent in the nine months ended September 30, 2014.
Personnel expenses increased 11.3 percent to $783.2 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2015, from $703.9 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2014. This was primarily due to additional headcount related to our acquisition of Freightquote and increases in expenses related to incentive plans that are designed to keep expenses variable with changes in net revenues and profitability. For the nine month period ended September 30, 2015, our average headcount grew 10.3 percent compared to the same period ended September 30, 2014.
Other selling, general, and administrative expenses increased 12.2 percent to $270.8 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2015 from $241.2 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2014. This increase was primarily due to our acquisition of Freightquote, including amortization expense of approximately $5.7 million, and an increase in claims and travel expenses.
Income from operations. Income from operations increased 14.8 percent to $643.7 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2015, from $560.7 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2014. Income from operations as a percentage of net revenues increased to 37.9 percent in the nine months ended September 30, 2015, from 37.2 percent in the nine months ended September 30, 2014.
Interest and other expense. Interest and other expense increased to $22.1 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2015, from $18.6 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2014. The change was due primarily to an increase in our average outstanding balances on our debt during the nine month period ended September 30, 2015, compared to the same period ended September 30, 2014.
Provision for income taxes. Our effective income tax rate was 38.4 percent percent for the nine months ended September 30, 2015, and 37.9 percent percent for the nine months ended September 30, 2014. The effective income tax rate for both periods is greater than the statutory federal income tax rate primarily due to state income taxes, net of federal benefit.

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Net income. Net income increased 13.8 percent to $383.1 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2015, from $336.8 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2014. Basic and diluted net income per share increased 15.4 percent to $2.63 from $2.28.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
We have historically generated substantial cash from operations, which has enabled us to fund our organic growth while paying cash dividends and repurchasing stock. In 2012, we entered into a senior unsecured revolving credit facility to partially fund the acquisition of Phoenix. In December 2014, we amended the revolving credit facility to increase the amount available from $500 million to $900 million and to extend the expiration date from October 2017 to December 2019, primarily to fund the acquisition of Freightquote. In 2013, we entered into a Note Purchase Agreement to fund the repurchase of $500.0 million worth of our common stock. The Note Purchase Agreement was amended in February 2015 to conform its financial covenants to be consistent with the amended revolving credit facility. We also expect to use the revolving credit facility and potentially other indebtedness incurred in the future to assist us in continuing to fund working capital, capital expenditures, possible acquisitions, dividends, and share repurchases. Cash and cash equivalents totaled $143.1 million as of September 30, 2015, and $128.9 million as of December 31, 2014. Cash and cash equivalents held outside the United States totaled $91.3 million as of September 30, 2015, and $80.6 million as of December 31, 2014. Working capital at September 30, 2015, was $275.0 million and at December 31, 2014, was $529.6 million.
We prioritize our investments to grow the business, as we require some working capital and a relatively small amount of capital expenditures to grow. We are continually looking for acquisitions, but those acquisitions must fit our culture and enhance our growth opportunities.
Cash flow from operating activities. We generated $464.4 million and $305.3 million of cash flow from operations during the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and September 30, 2014, an increase of $159.1 million compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2014. The decrease in fuel prices in the first nine months of 2015 compared to the first nine months of 2014 resulted in slower growth in working capital and allowed us to generate higher operating cash flow.
Cash used for investing activities. We used $40.0 million and $24.7 million of cash during the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and September 30, 2014 for investing activities.
We used $32.8 million and $25.1 million for capital expenditures during the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and September 30, 2014. This increase was primarily due to the purchase and development of software. Information technology investments are intended to improve efficiencies and help grow the business.
We used $367.1 million, net of cash acquired, for the acquisition of Freightquote in January 2015. On January 1, 2015, the restrictions on $359.4 million of restricted cash held in escrow were lifted and the funds were disbursed out of the escrow accounts, pursuant to the purchase agreement in connection with the acquisition.
Cash used for financing activities. We used $398.2 million and $308.5 million of cash flow for financing activities during the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and September 30, 2014. The change was primarily due to a decrease in net borrowing and an increase in share repurchases during the nine month period ended September 30, 2015, compared to the same period ended September 30, 2014.
During the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and September 30, 2014, we had net repayments on our short-term borrowings of $75.0 million and $30.0 million. The outstanding balance on the revolving credit facility was $530.0 million as of September 30, 2015. We were in compliance with all of the credit facility's financial debt covenants as of September 30, 2015.
We used $171.4 million and $157.6 million to pay cash dividends during the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and September 30, 2014. The increase was primarily due to a dividend rate increase in 2015 compared to 2014, partially offset by a decrease in weighted average shares outstanding during the nine months ended September 30, 2015, compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2014.
We used $161.1 million and $125.2 million on share repurchases during the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and September 30, 2014. The change was due primarily to an increase of shares repurchased during the nine months ended September 30, 2015, compared to the same period of 2014. In August 2013, the Board of Directors increased the number of shares authorized for repurchase by 15,000,000 shares. As of September 30, 2015, there were 7,863,932 shares remaining for

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future repurchases under the repurchase authorization. The number of shares we repurchase, if any, during future periods will vary based on our cash position, potential uses of our cash, and market conditions.
We used $11.0 million and $11.8 million to acquire shares from employees through their withholding taxes resulting from the delivery of restricted equity during the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and September 30, 2014.
Management believes that our available cash, together with expected future cash generated from operations, the amount available under our credit facility, and credit available in the market will be sufficient to satisfy our anticipated needs for working capital, capital expenditures, and cash dividends in the foreseeable future. We also believe we could obtain funds under lines of credit or other forms of indebtedness on short notice, if needed.
CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ESTIMATES
Our condensed consolidated financial statements include accounts of the company and all majority-owned subsidiaries. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires management to make estimates and assumptions. In certain circumstances, those estimates and assumptions can affect amounts reported in the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements and related footnotes. In preparing our financial statements, we have made our best estimates and judgments of certain amounts included in the financial statements, giving due consideration to materiality. We do not believe there is a great likelihood that materially different amounts would be reported related to the accounting policies described below. However, application of these accounting policies involves the exercise of judgment and use of assumptions as to future uncertainties and, as a result, actual results could differ from these estimates. Note 1 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014, includes a summary of the significant accounting policies and methods used in the preparation of our consolidated financial statements. The following is a brief discussion of our critical accounting policies and estimates.
Revenue recognition. Total revenues consist of the total dollar value of goods and services purchased from us by customers. Net revenues are total revenues less the direct costs of transportation, products, and handling. We act principally as the service provider for these transactions and recognize revenue as these services are rendered or goods are delivered. At that time, our obligations to the transactions are completed and collection of receivables is reasonably assured. Most transactions in our Transportation and Sourcing businesses are recorded at the gross amount we charge our customers for the service we provide and goods we sell. In these transactions, we are the primary obligor, we have credit risk, we have discretion to select the supplier, and we have latitude in pricing decisions. Additionally, in our Sourcing business, we often take loss of inventory risk during shipment and have general inventory risk.
Certain transactions in customs brokerage, transportation management, and sourcing are recorded at the net amount we charge our customers for the service we provide because many of the factors stated above are not present.
Valuations for accounts receivable. Our allowance for doubtful accounts is calculated based upon the aging of our receivables, our historical experience of uncollectible accounts, and any specific customer collection issues that we have identified. The allowance of $46.0 million as of September 30, 2015, increased compared to the allowance of $41.1 million as of December 31, 2014. The increase was primarily the result of the growth in our total receivable portfolio and a slight deterioration in our aging. We believe that the recorded allowance is sufficient and appropriate based on our customer aging trends, the exposures we have identified, and our historical loss experience.
Goodwill. We manage and report our operations as one operating segment. Our branches represent a series of components that are aggregated for the purpose of evaluating goodwill for impairment on an enterprise-wide basis. The fair value of the enterprise-wide reporting unit substantially exceeds the book value; therefore, we have determined that there is no indication of goodwill impairment as of September 30, 2015.
Stock-based compensation. The fair value of each share-based payment award is established on the date of grant. For grants of restricted shares and restricted units, the fair value is established based on the market price on the date of the grant, discounted for post-vesting holding restrictions. The discounts on outstanding grants vary from 17 percent to 22 percent and are calculated using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. Changes in the measured stock price volatility and interest rates are the primary reason for changes in the discount. For grants of options, we use the Black-Scholes option pricing model to estimate the fair value of share-based payment awards. The determination of the fair value of share-based awards is affected by our stock price and a number of assumptions, including expected volatility, expected life, risk-free interest rate, and expected dividends.


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ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

We had $143.1 million of cash and cash equivalents on September 30, 2015. Substantially all of the cash equivalents are in demand accounts with financial institutions. The primary market risks associated with these investments are liquidity risks.
We are a party to a credit agreement with various lenders consisting of a $900 million revolving loan facility. Interest accrues on the revolving loan at variable rates based on LIBOR or "prime" plus the applicable add-on percentage as defined. At September 30, 2015, there was $530.0 million outstanding on the revolving loan.
We are a party to the Note Purchase Agreement, as amended, with various institutional investors with fixed rates consisting of: (i) $175,000,000 of the company’s 3.97 percent Senior Notes, Series A, due August 27, 2023, (ii) $150,000,000 of the company’s 4.26 percent Senior Notes, Series B, due August 27, 2028, and (iii) $175,000,000 of the company’s 4.60 percent Senior Notes, Series C, due August 27, 2033. At September 30, 2015, there was $500.0 million outstanding on the notes.
A hypothetical 100-basis-point change in the interest rate would not have a material effect on our earnings. We do not use derivative financial instruments to manage interest rate risk or to speculate on future changes in interest rates. A rise in interest rates could negatively affect the fair value of our investments. Market risk arising from changes in foreign currency exchange rates are not material due to the size of our international operations.

ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
(a) Evaluation of disclosure controls and procedures.
Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, we evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”). Based upon that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that, as of the end of the period covered by this report, our disclosure controls and procedures were effective.
(b) Changes in internal controls over financial reporting.
There were no changes that occurred during the most recent fiscal quarter that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect the company's internal control over financial reporting.
As previously announced, we acquired Freightquote during the first quarter of 2015. We have not fully evaluated any changes in internal control over financial reporting associated with this acquisition, and therefore any material changes that may result from this acquisition have not been disclosed in this report. We intend to disclose all material changes resulting from the acquisition within or prior to the time of our first annual assessment of internal control over financial reporting that is required to include this entity.
The results in this quarterly report include those of Freightquote.


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PART II-OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
We are not subject to any pending or threatened litigation other than routine litigation arising in the ordinary course of our business operations. For such legal proceedings, we have accrued an amount that reflects the aggregate liability deemed probable and estimable, but this amount is not material to our consolidated financial position, results of operations, or cash flows. Because of the preliminary nature of many of these proceedings, the difficulty in ascertaining the applicable facts relating to many of these proceedings, the inconsistent treatment of claims made in many of these proceedings, and the difficulty of predicting the settlement value of many of these proceedings, we are often unable to estimate an amount or range of any reasonably possible additional losses. However, based upon our historical experience, the resolution of these proceedings is not expected to have a material effect on our consolidated financial position, results of operations, or cash flows.

ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS

In addition to the other information set forth in this report, you should carefully consider the factors discussed in Part I, "Item 1A. Risk Factors" in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014, which could materially affect our business, financial condition, or future results. The risks described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K are not the only risks facing our company. Additional risks and uncertainties not currently known to us or that we currently deem to be immaterial also may materially adversely affect our business, financial condition, and/or operating results.

ITEM 2. UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS

The following table provides information about purchases by the company during the quarter ended September 30, 2015, of shares of the company's common stock.

 
Total Number
of Shares
(or Units)
Purchased (a)
 
Average Price
Paid Per
Share
(or Unit)
 
Total Number of
Shares (or Units)
Purchased as Part of
Publicly Announced
Plans or Programs (b)
 
Maximum Number of
Shares (or Units)
That May Yet Be
Purchased Under the
Plans or Programs (b)
July 1, 2015-July 31, 2015
349,497

 
$
64.49

 
340,872

 
8,606,595

August 1, 2015-August 31, 2015
283,098

 
68.32

 
281,045

 
8,325,550

September 1, 2015-September 30, 2015
463,208

 
68.24

 
461,618

 
7,863,932

Third quarter 2015
1,095,803

 
$
67.06

 
1,083,535

 
7,863,932


(a) The total number of shares purchased includes: (i) 1,083,535 shares of common stock purchased under the authorization described below; and (ii) 12,268 shares of common stock surrendered to satisfy minimum statutory tax obligations under our stock incentive plans.

(b) In August 2013, the Board of Directors increased the number of shares authorized for repurchase by 15,000,000 shares. As of September 30, 2015, there were 7,863,932 shares remaining for future repurchases. Purchases can be made in the open market or in privately negotiated transactions, including Rule 10b5-1 plans and accelerated repurchase programs.

ITEM 3. DEFAULTS ON SENIOR SECURITIES

None

ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES
Not applicable. 

ITEM 5. OTHER INFORMATION

None


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ITEM 6. EXHIBITS    

Exhibits filed with this report:
31.1
Certification of the Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
 
 
31.2
Certification of the Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
 
 
32.1
Certification of the Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
 
 
32.2
Certification of the Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
 
 
101
Financial statements from the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of the company for the period ended September 30, 2015, formatted in XBRL


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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this Report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized on November 9, 2015.
 

C.H. ROBINSON WORLDWIDE, INC.
 
 
 
By:
 
/s/ John P. Wiehoff
 
 
John P. Wiehoff
 
 
Chief Executive Officer
 
 
 
 
 
 
By:
 
/s/ Andrew C. Clarke
 
 
Andrew C. Clarke
 
 
Chief Financial Officer (principal accounting officer)

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